744 Upper in J

[Mal]

I had 16K last week MEL-SIN. I got the u/g and was very suprised to have been pre-allocated this seat. Surely it's sought after?! The flight wasn't full but wasn't empty by far.

On SeatGuru, 16K was said to have the staff seats infront but it turned out they were opposite 16A,B.

I was given 16A on my last op-up (LHR-HKG). I think because it's an emergency exit row it really isn't often pre-allocated and can remain open until the flight goes to airport control. I'm not too sure people actually care that much about those seats when flying in J.

Qantas used to have 2 upper deck configs - one that had 6x4 seating, the other had 5x4 + 1x2 seating. I think the crew seats used to be on the JK side on the 5x4/1x2 setup, but I'm not 100% sure. Either way, I believe that config is now gone on Qantas (anyone know for sure?)

My preference is downstairs, but then you have to contend with the 2/3/2 config. Works well when no-one is sitting in the middle of the block of 3 (ie the E seat), but otherwise can get a little cosy.

 

[BlueAU]

Just finished packing. Thanks for everyones comments. Will be leaving soon, and should arrive at airport in 2 hours, so let's see what seat I can get Will report back!

 

[Dave Noble]

Row 16 is the only upper deck row that I would sit in; the exit row is nice for the extra space and you can sit at the window and be able to get up easily.

If unable to get row 16 , then my preference is for a lower deck aisle seat in the middle block

Dave

 

[BlueAU]

Row 16 is the only upper deck row that I would sit in; the exit row is nice for the extra space and you can sit at the window and be able to get up easily.

If unable to get row 16 , then my preference is for a lower deck aisle seat in the middle block

Dave

Got 16B after a lengthy discussion with dragon.

First was quoted "Why would you want to change seat? ALL Business is pre assigned and they are all good seats. You don't need to pick a seat"

Then asked for row 16. Was told the flight is full and cannot move. BULLOCKS!!! JCD fare class showing 8 avail ...

Was told that "There is no such thing as platinum or CL being able to reserve exit rows. They are blocked/protected for operational reason, how do you know the words blocked/protected anyway?". I advised her that FFSC told me that exit rows in business do not require money, and if not pre selected by CL or WP, they are available to anyone at 3 hour check in. She argued and said in the life of her 20 years at Qantas she has not heard such a thing. I told her to call the FFSC. She did, and then I was given row 16 :shock: She then said nobody should be able to pick exit rows without paying. Business exit rows should be $180 and $360 for long haul. Like WTF seriously ???? Did I get someone on a bad hair day or something?

Got given express pass but hid it all the way, was not asked for it, so can use it next time. Woo hoo lol

Then went to TRS Dragons, they not happy that I didnt want to use credit card for refund. I said bank account "As per the sign". He said hand it over. I said "It's in my head, I'll write it down for you". Gave me the weirdest look and said "Who knows their account number???"

LOL

In JLounge now having a latte, hmmmm life is good

 

[Mal]

Got 16B after a lengthy discussion with dragon.

Ouch, two morons to start your day. Yes - some people know the rules (and the lingo ... you'd expect that someone working for Qantas for 20 years - perhaps an ex-Ansett bitter hag) would know them too.

As for the TRS staffer - I know the BSB/Account number of my main Australian account. Perhaps it's harder for them to input the digits rather than swiping a card.

 

[BlueAU]

Ouch, two morons to start your day. Yes - some people know the rules (and the lingo ... you'd expect that someone working for Qantas for 20 years - perhaps an ex-Ansett bitter hag) would know them too.

As for the TRS staffer - I know the BSB/Account number of my main Australian account. Perhaps it's harder for them to input the digits rather than swiping a card.

Well it was a nice warm welcome in JLounge as some of the staff recognised me and asked me how my last trip was to BNE. LOL :shock:

TRS dragon had trouble entering digits, had to ask me to repeat verbally as well, I guess it is indeed easier to swipe!

 

[Mal]

Well it was a nice warm welcome in JLounge as some of the staff recognised me and asked me how my last trip was to BNE. LOL :shock:

Are you a known trouble maker?

Some staff do recognise you in the system. Got quite shocked a few years ago when a CSM remembered me from a previous flight ages before that flight... I wondered exactly what I did wrong (or right!) to be remembered.

Enjoy your trip in 16B!

 

[ejb]

Enjoy your trip and forget the dramas of checkin as you sit in your J seat sipping bubbles.

ejb

 

[BlueAU]

Well I made it! A few more dramas on the way, but never the less I am sitting in arrivals with free wifi, have made about 20 mins worth of calls on skype and probably saved $150 on roaming call charges I wish we had free wifi everywhere in AUS !!

Plane delayed by 40 minutes, but made it on time some how. Could not disembark aircraft for a further 20 minutes due to lightning not working. (Yes we were in the dark). They gave up after trying 2 or 3 ground units, so they killed everything and emergency lighting came on. Everyone was super slow.

Cabin service in upper deck was from front down to rear ... some nice food. Service OK, probably 7/10. My 12B seat was awesome, could get out, could do what I wanted really. Most people were sleeping most of the flight (Hmm daytime flight) ... I decided to try to keep away and do some exercises and stuff. There were 4 kids in upper deck of J :shock: noisy buggers, thank God for the headphones that filtered most of it out :mrgreen:

HK Arrivals hall is funny, almost a joke (in a good way). Go through immigration, (they didn't even look at my face), stamped it and then you go to "Nothing to Declare" expecting a scanner to come up, then you just walk through scot free. It was awesome!!! No need for express passes or anything

More later, gotta go buy octopus card !!

 

[NM]

My preference is downstairs, but then you have to contend with the 2/3/2 config. Works well when no-one is sitting in the middle of the block of 3 (ie the E seat), but otherwise can get a little cosy.

in all my times sitting in an D or F seats downstairs, I only every once has some in the E seat and they were travelling with the other aisle passenger and always exited to the aisle over their travelling companion. So no more "cosy" than sitting in a B or J seat really and has the benefit of not having a seat partner climbing over you during the night.

 

[tuapekastar]

Well I made it! A few more dramas on the way, but never the less I am sitting in arrivals with free wifi, have made about 20 mins worth of calls on skype and probably saved $150 on roaming call charges I wish we had free wifi everywhere in AUS !!

Plane delayed by 40 minutes, but made it on time some how. Could not disembark aircraft for a further 20 minutes due to lightning not working. (Yes we were in the dark). They gave up after trying 2 or 3 ground units, so they killed everything and emergency lighting came on. Everyone was super slow.

Cabin service in upper deck was from front down to rear ... some nice food. Service OK, probably 7/10. My 12B seat was awesome, could get out, could do what I wanted really. Most people were sleeping most of the flight (Hmm daytime flight) ... I decided to try to keep away and do some exercises and stuff. There were 4 kids in upper deck of J :shock: noisy buggers, thank God for the headphones that filtered most of it out :mrgreen:

HK Arrivals hall is funny, almost a joke (in a good way). Go through immigration, (they didn't even look at my face), stamped it and then you go to "Nothing to Declare" expecting a scanner to come up, then you just walk through scot free. It was awesome!!! No need for express passes or anything

More later, gotta go buy octopus card !!

Good to hear it! My experience arriving into HKG was different...very slow immigration. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[Mal]

My 12B seat was awesome, could get out, could do what I wanted really.

I presume that is actually 16B based on the lots of legroom? Or did you get moved again before the flight?

 

[BlueAU]

I presume that is actually 16B based on the lots of legroom? Or did you get moved again before the flight?

Yep lots of legroom. Nope didn't get moved.

Oh I went downstairs for a walk, one of the FA's got pissed and asked if I was from economy and what I was doing at the bar :shock: :shock: then changed his tune a bit when I said I was from upstairs.

Maybe today was my lucky day

 

[NM]

Good to hear it! My experience arriving into HKG was different...very slow immigration. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Since having my passport registered for Hong Kong e-channel entry, my immigration queuing and processing time is measure in seconds, and often I don't need to remove my shoes to count them either. It takes me longer to peel off the sticker and stick it into my passport than the time to queue or scan.

Its quicker for me to enter and leave HK than its is for me to enter or leave Australia using my Australian passport.

 

[Mal]

Its quicker for me to enter and leave HK than its is for me to enter or leave Australia using my Australian passport.

So true! Although I normally use outbound immigration so that I get an exit stamp.

 

[NM]

So true! Although I normally use outbound immigration so that I get an exit stamp.

I have done sometimes. But generally just make sure I get an in-bound stamp at next port of entry which should be sufficient proof that I left HK on time.

Starting to fill up a page with entry stickers now though.

 

[BlueAU]

Sauna here in hk lol

slept next to aircon all nite :shock:

on strangers wireless on iPod

 

[Sprucegoose]

Sauna here in hk lol

slept next to aircon all nite :shock:

on strangers wireless on iPod

How was the trip Blue?

Love the big noodle, lived there for 5 years.

Where did you stay?

cheers
SPRUCE